Europe

Germany-based PV materials manufacturer Heraeus is to open new R&D centres in mainland China and Taiwan.

Hi-tech equipment manufacturer Manz has set a new efficiency record for a CIGS thin-film module of 16%.

European PV trade association EPIA has said it would support free trade and the end of current trade barriers on imported Chinese solar modules, the first time the trade association has set a strategy position on the ongoing trade conflict that has impacted the PV industry.

PV equipment maker Singulus Technologies will undergo a financial restructuring as it looks to reduce it debt.

Following recent news that Holland’s Orange Solar will open a module factory aimed at “reviving” European PV manufacturing, BIPV specialist Onyx Solar will begin work on a factory in Spain.

Germany has received more than 170 submissions for its first competitive large-scale solar PV tender, leaving the round significantly oversubscribed.

Renewable-energy project developer juwi is building up its footprint, as it is set to develop its first project in Turkey. The project is comprised of seven separate plants — generating a combined capacity of 7.4MW — and will be located in the municipality of Denizli.

Solar developer Solairedirect has been valued at €386 million (US$414 million) after it announced its indicative share price range ahead of its forthcoming IPO.

Major PV equipment supplier Meyer Burger is to supply French research centre, Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) with equipment to develop high performance heterojunction (HJT) cells and Meyer Burger’s SmartWire Connection technology (SWCT).

German PV module manufacturer Solar-Fabrik expects to issue a warning in the next few days regarding junction box failures on its solar panels that could lead to fires.